i read some where on here that some forum had 15000 members and 13500 had never posted, I don't want to be part of that stat.
So hey, new here! 696, first bike, i bought a new vespa in June, took the safety course in july and realized that i need a motorcycle.  My little brother ex sport bike rider, visited from Chicago and said i should get a monster, and remarked on how many people in SF had one as we drove around. After looking for used ones and then I went and looked at them new and fell in love.  A few more weeks goes by and i am now a new owner of a pearl white 696.

The drive home to SF from San Rafael was a bit scary with the freeway being a new rider, new bike, traffic on a Friday, hella wind going up the hill in Sausalito, fog and lots of bridge traffic,  and even worse fog , almost drizzle to my house in the outer Richmond. 6 days has gone by i commute everyday to the marina and joy ride home. when going out to dinner i always now chose the long scenic route and a even longer one home. 

My poor vespa has quickly become out grown. 

i also read somewhere about the "wave".  2 months and 900 miles on the scooter and maybe twice did i get a wave, one from a motorcycle.  on the monster,   tons and tons of waves from everyone:  motorcycle riders > scooter riders.
i also made a new fellow monster friend this afternoon at the light on van ness (nice guy, on a red newer one) and told me to look on the forum for group rides. 
Glad to be here and part of the community

guf

Check out the local board:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=19.0

Welcome guf, glad you made it safely home on your new bike.

Yes, please stop by and check in with the MOB, hope to see you at a local event soon.